Disorganization is not an easy habit to break, so don’t get discouraged if you’ve tried to become organized with little-to-no success. Instead of feeling down on yourself, try these practical ways to contain the chaos and make your home more presentable in a way that’s easy to maintain.

Catchall storage 

Miscellaneous items can easily crowd your most used spaces if there isn’t a dedicated place for them. Use the following items in your most cluttered spots, like your entryway, coffee table, and kitchen table.

Baskets

Baskets are a chic receptacle for a wide variety of items. You can purchase rattan or rope baskets in a variety to suit all your needs—from blankets and shoes to pet toys and hobby supplies. As a bonus, look for baskets with lids so you can close them to reduce the appearance of clutter.  

Trays 

Keys and wallets can easily become lost between couch cushions or under tables, leaving you scrambling to find them when you need to leave your house. Place a few trays on your coffee table or kitchen counter, or install a shelf near your entryway for it to sit on. To avoid cluttering the tray, choose one in a size that is big enough to hold two to three wallets and sets of keys. The limited space will force you to prioritize the tray for essentials.

Space-saving solutions

Most disorganized people will admit to having more belongings than they might know how to store. The obvious solution is to declutter, but it can be hard to part with some items—especially if you have a small space. These solutions can help you contain the mess, organize it, and clear space for additional storage.

Turntables

Lazy Susans are a convenient rotating storage tool often located in kitchens. If you don’t have one, a cake stand makes for an excellent lazy Susan alternative for a tabletop or shelf. Cake stands are a popular substitution because of their elevation that leaves free space for additional items underneath. Be sure to consider the size of the cake stand before you purchase it. Small cake stands can hold a few spices, while large cake stands can hold items like bags of coffee, syrups, and sugar.   

Drawer inserts

If you feel overwhelmed every time you open your drawers or they get stuck when you try to open them, purchase drawer dividers. Find dividers that can are adjustable or have interlocking trays. You can divide your items by type, color, or size—whatever makes the most sense to you. Separating items in your drawers will allow you to keep track of what can be moved or thrown away, create more room in the drawer, and easily locate what you need.

Easy systems

There are a lot of organizing books on the market that encourage overcomplicated systems for people just starting their journey to a more organized life. The following are two different time-honored solutions anyone can use to tidy up.

Colored bins

Whether you like vibrant and bold colors or neutrals, you can play with color in a way that helps you remember where items are. Pro tip: use colored opaque storage bins. Opaque materials conceal everything and create a sleek and satisfying look—so you can feel free to toss items into the bin quickly when needed without it looking messy from the outside.

There are a variety of places you can use colored storage bins. You can use neutral-colored canvas bins in a bedroom for sweaters and socks. In a bathroom, you could use red bins for health-related items and green bins for cleaning tools and cleaners. Other rooms, like a hobby space, office, and kitchen, can benefit from this system too. If you run out of colors to use, assess where you can consolidate or use other materials like rattan and bamboo that could represent more categories of items.

Label maker 

Labels are an easy way to encourage you to have a place for everything. By labeling items like your closet storage bins, technology and office organizers, and your kitchen containers, you might feel less inclined to put something in them that doesn’t belong. This Brother P-Touch Label Maker has fun colors, patterns, and fonts so you can personalize everything to match your home’s style.

Just because your home is disorganized now doesn’t mean it’s doomed to stay that way. By implementing these tips, you can develop a better organization system that works for you.